ELTORIA on Staying Authentic in the Fashion Industry

Authenticity has become one of fashion’s favourite buzzwords yet few embody it quite like ELTORIA. The creator and founder of STRETCHSUIT has built a brand and a voice rooted in lived experience rather than fleeting trends. In this final interview of the four-part series with Hinton Magazine, she explores what it really means to remain authentic in an industry driven by reinvention and image.

ELTORIA speaks openly about the pressures behind the scenes, the fine line between collaboration and compromise, and why integrity often means saying no more than yes. Her insights reveal the quiet strength behind her work, a belief that honesty, intention and connection will always outlast spectacle.

Authenticity has become a buzzword- in fashion, what does it actually mean?

In fashion, authenticity means designing from lived experience - creating pieces that genuinely solve a need rather than chasing a trend. I designed the STRETCHSUIT Maternity Jumpsuit while I was pregnant with my first son, so its authenticity comes from that personal experience. Every step of development involved listening to real women, understanding how their bodies and lifestyles change during pregnancy, and translating those truths into each design

The industry thrives on reinvention. How can a creator evolve without losing their core identity?

As a creator-owned brand, I’ve learned that evolving doesn’t mean reinventing your identity - it means listening. With STRETCHSUIT, that means paying attention to our community, to culture, and to the real experiences of women, while always staying grounded in why we began: making women feel comfortable and confident through every stage of pregnancy.

What pressures exist behind the scenes that audiences rarely see - and how do they shape authenticity?

In fashion, there’s a constant pressure to look perfect - as a creator and as a brand. Perfect models, perfect lives, and a pace that moves faster than reality. But that’s not real. For me, authenticity means pulling back the curtain and showing what’s true - the real people, the real bodies, and the imperfect process behind building STRETCHSUIT. Polished doesn’t have to mean perfect. Trust is built when people can see the process, not just the final product

Where’s the line between collaboration and compromise?

As a creator and brand owner, I see collaboration as a meeting of values - not just aesthetics. The line gets crossed when you start bending your core purpose to fit someone else’s idea. At STRETCHSUIT, we love working with people who genuinely believe in what we stand for: comfort, confidence, and real representation. When that alignment is there, collaboration never feels like compromise.

Do you think audiences can still tell the difference between genuine style and manufactured image?

Absolutely. Audiences are more perceptive than ever - they can sense when something is crafted to connect versus when it’s crafted to sell. Genuine style has a certain ease to it; it’s lived-in, consistent, and rooted in real experience. A manufactured image might look perfect, but it often lacks that emotional truth (and often doesn't look right!). People connect to intention, not just aesthetics

What does integrity look like when your career depends on partnerships and visibility?

For me, integrity means saying no more often than you say yes. As a creator and founder, I only want to partner with people and brands that share our values - comfort, confidence, and real representation. It’s easy to chase visibility, but long-term trust comes from consistency. If the partnership doesn’t feel aligned, it’s not worth it

Is authenticity a luxury in this industry, or a necessity for survival?

For me, authenticity isn’t a luxury - it’s survival. In fashion, trends come and go, but trust lasts. At STRETCHSUIT, being real about who we design for and why we exist has shaped everything we do. People don’t just buy clothes; they buy into what you stand for. Without authenticity, that connection disappears

Looking ahead, do you think fashion influence will be defined more by honesty or by spectacle? 

I think we’re moving into a time where honesty will outlast spectacle. The industry has seen the extremes - big moments, viral trends, curated perfection. But what people are craving now is connection and credibility. Influence built on honesty may grow slower, but it’s far more sustainable. Spectacle gets attention; honesty builds loyalty.

ELTORIA’s reflections remind us that authenticity in fashion is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Her approach to design and brand building is grounded in empathy, trust and the courage to stay real when the industry rewards performance. Through STRETCHSUIT, she continues to prove that genuine connection and consistency can create something far more powerful than perfection.

As this series draws to a close, one thing is clear. In a world chasing visibility, ELTORIA’s voice stands out for its calm conviction that style, like integrity, is best when it is lived, not performed.